Public Seminar: Female Entrepreneurship in Japan

The Japan Foundation, in collaboration with Kobe University, is delighted to present this special seminar exploring the rise of female entrepreneurship in Japan.

As part of recent economic revitalisation measures, the Japanese government has hoped to encourage business and career aspirations of women through a series of policies including promoting leadership roles for women in traditional business models, and also offering funding and support to nurture young female entrepreneurs.

Despite this, some reports indicate that the number of female entrepreneurs in Japan is still less than half that of men, and the 2015 Female Entrepreneurship Index, which assesses  favourable conditions for women entrepreneurs, ranks Japan in forty-fourth place, substantially lower than other comparable economies. Why so low?

To explore the challenges facing emerging female entrepreneurs in Japan the seminar will feature a diverse panel including Professor Kazufumi Yugami (Kobe University)  a specialist in  labour economics who will explore contemporary  employment and management practices and policies to explain why growing numbers of women may be more attracted to advancing their careers outwith the typical  corporate environment; sociologist Professor Itsuko Kamoto (Kyoto Women’s University) who will explore the impact of changing family structure in Japan on the social advancement of women; and Mr Tatsuya Imoto, a representative of  Ladies’ Entrepreneur Discussions (LED) Kansai, a new government led network which supports and promotes emerging female entrepreneurs.

Drawing from their extensive range of expertise the panel will explore how Japanese culture, society, and economy has encouraged – or discouraged – the growth of female entrepreneurship, and consider how best emerging female entrepreneurs can be supported in future to maximise their potential.

Joining the discussion will be Professor Ute Stephan, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School who will offer some comparative comments from a UK/European perspective; and chairing the seminar will be sociologist Professor Kiyomitsu Yui, Executive Director of the Centre for EU Studies at Kobe University.